Vehicle for handling burial objects



March 12, 1968 w. KELLOGG VEHICLE FOR HANDLING BURIAL OBJECTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 14, 1965 INVENTOR 1,, HZ K e110 BY 4M, MM

. days March 12, 1968 w. KELLOGG 3,372,819

VEHICLE FOR HANDLING BURIAL OBJECTS FllBd Oct. 14, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. I 1,117. k flqyy BY QM, wpmfiflm any March 12, 1968 1.. w. KELLOGG VEHICLE FOR HANDLING BURIAL OBJECTS Filed Oct. 14, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. L. 'W: Kellqyy 2 m, WWW/9AM adj/s United States Patent 3,372,819 VEHICLE FOR HANDLING BURIAL OBJECTS Lester W. Kellogg, 4160 Jackson Blvd., Davisburg, Mich. 480 Filed Oct. 14, 1965, Ser. No. 496,067 4 Claims. (Cl. 214--396) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A vehicle for handling burial objects, such as caskets, vaults, and vault lids, has a conventional front portion with front-wheel drive and a drivers compartment and a rear load-carrying portion for the burial object. The rear portion has a rear opening, and a bottom opening through which the burial object may be passed in horizontal position by means of an overhead means and slings. In one embodiment the rear portion has tracks and a removable ramp leading to the ground, and the burial object is loaded by means of a dolly. In another embodiment, the rear and bottom openings are continuous and the burial object is loaded by backing the vehicle thereover.

This invention relates to a new casket and burial vault handling vehicle which is able to perform several tasks heretofore ordinarily performed by hand.

In many areas of the country, it is no longer the practice to hold graveside services for the deceased; instead, equivalent services are held in a chapel located on the cemetery ground-s. Upon completion of the service, those who have attended depart, and the cemetery then tends to the interment of the deceased. Heretofore, this practice has necessitated the hiring of pallbearers by the cemetery to lift the casket into a hearse, to carry the casket from the hearse to the grave opening, and to manually lower the casket into the grave. Ordinarily, six men are required as pallbearers; usually these men are cemetery em ployees drawn temporarily from other tasks, but small cemeteries must sometimes hire pallbearers specially. Needless to say, the labor cost of these pallbearers adds substantially to funeral costs, and the orderly routine of cemetery employees is disrupted.

Even in those areas of the country where it remains the practice to hold graveside services, with family pallbearers handling the casket, it is nevertheless the cemeterys duty to handle the burial vault in which the casket is to repose. The cemetery places the burial vault in the grave opening before the services commence, and the cemetery also places the vault lid on the vault after the services end and the casket has been lowered into the vault. The handling of vaults, and vault lids, has heretobefore been similar to the handling of the caskets-they have been handled mainly by manual means, with a tesultant high labor cost. Vaults are delivered to the grave site by truck, unloaded on rollers, and rolled upon a low ering device placed over the grave. This process is both slow and costly.

Objects of the present invention are to provide a vehicle in which a burial object such as .a casket, empty vault, vault lid, or a vault with a casket therein, can be easily loaded; which can transport such an object to a grave opening; and which can lower such an object into an open grave. It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle which can be operated by one man and still perform these tasks more quickly and eiiiciently than here tofore possible. Still, further, it is an object of this invention to provide a vehicle which can be inexpensively constructed by converting vehicles which are currently being mass-produced by American automobile manufacturers.

Briefly summarized, in one aspect the invention is a ice vehicle adapted for handling burial objects in conjunction with a dolly, comprising, in combination, body means forming a load-carrying space therewithin of size to accommodate said dolly with said object in horizontal position thereon, said body means having a rear opening of size to permit horizontal passage of said object upon said dolly and a bottom opening of size to permit vertical passage of said object in horizontal position; tracks in said body on each side of said bottom opening and extending to said rear opening to receive and support said dolly; and an overhead means in said space above said bottom opening, said overhead means having motor means and a sling, whereby said object may be vertically transferred through said bottom opening.

In another aspect the invention is a vehicle adapted for handling burial objects, comprising, in combination, body means forming a load-carrying space of size to accommodate said object in horizontal position and a continuous opening in the bottom and rear of said body means of size to permit horizontal and vertical passage of said object in horizontal position, and an overhead means in said space with motor means and a sling, whereby said object may be vertically transferred through said opening.

For the purpose of illustration, typical embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side view, bodiment;

FIG. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in section, of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

In the particular embodiments of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration, the vehicle is converted from a typical mass-produced vehicle, such as a panel truck, which has an engine in the front, and which is supplied with a commercially-available front-wheel drive.

One particular embodiment of the .invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. This vehicle, from the drivers compartment forward, is substantially as manufactured by the automobile company. This part of the vehicle has a standard front body 1 including a standard front frame 2 and a standard front envelope 3 supported by the front frame 2 and forming a drivers compartment 4. An en gine drives the front wheels of the vehicle (not shown).

The subject matter of this invention relates to the portion of the vehicle to the rear of the drivers compartment. Here, the vehicle has a rear body 5 forming a loadcarrying space 6 of size to accommodate a dolly 7 upon which is supported a burial object in horizontal position, such as the burial object 8 illustrated in FIG. 1. The load-carrying space 6 communicates with the drivers compartment 4, and with the outside of the vehicle through a rear opening 9 and a bottom opening 10 provided in the rear body 5. The rear opening 9- is of size to permit horizontal passage of the dolly 7 and burial objeet .8. The bottom opening 10 is of size to permit vertical passage of the burial object 8. On each side of the bottom opening 10 and extending to the rear of the vehicle, the rear body 5 has tracks 11 and 12 which receive and support the dolly 7. Extending from the rear end of the tracks to the ground are removable ramp means 13 and 14 which receive and support the dolly 7. Above the bottom opening 10, the vehicle has overhead means 15 with motor means M and a sling 16, whereby the burial object may be vertically transferred through the bottom opening 10 into a grave.

The rear body 5 of the vehicle has a substantially horizontal and rectangular rear frame .17 which is suitably partially in section, of one em joined, by welding or the like, to the front frame 2. The rear frame 17 comprises lateral frame members 17.1 and 17.2, a front transverse frame member 173 joined to the lateral frame members, and a rear transverse frame member 17.4- joined to the lateral frame members. Preferably, each of these frame members is made from a pair of channel shapes welded together to form a box section of high strength.

Suitably suspended from the outboard side of the lateral frame members 17.1 and 17.2 are free-wheeling rear wheels 18 and 19. Any suspension system which does not obstruct the bottom opening 10, such as an independent trailing link rear suspension, or the illustrated stub axles welded to the lateral frame members, is suitable.

Mounted on the inboard side of the lateral frame members 17.1 and 17.2, near the tops thereof, are lateral supports 21) and 21 extending between the front and rear transverse frame members 17.3 and 17.4. The upper surfaces of these supports 20 and 21 form a portion of the tracks .11 and 12, and the supports 26 and 21 together with the front and rear transverse frame members 17.3 and 17.4 define the bottom opening it of the rear body 5.

The rear body also includes one or more transverse aroh frames 22 secured to the lateral frame members 171 and 17.2. As shown, the arch frames comprise tubular columns 22. 1 and 22.2 which are ecured at their bottom ends to the lateral frame members 17.1 and 17. 2 respectively, and a tubular beam 22. 3 secured to the top ends of the columns. Alternately, the arch frames may be made from a single piece of tubing bent to form the proper arch shape. Tubular members are used to provide strength with little weight, and thereby keep the vehicles center of gravity low. The arch frames 22, together with the rear frame 17 and supports 20 and 21, both form the loadcarry-ing space 6 and define the rear opening 9 provided in the rear body 5.

Secured to at least one of the arch frames 22 is the overhead means 15. As illustrated, the overhead means has motor means M suitably secured to one or more tubular columns 22.1 and powering a winch 23. A cable 24 has one end connected to the winch 23 and extends over pulley means 25' and 26 which are secured to the arch frame, to the center of a tubular beam 22.3. Here the cable 24 is secured to a yoke 27 having at each end prongs 28 to which the slings 16 may be conveniently attached. Control means (not shown) for the motor means M are located in the drivers compartment so as to be accessible to the driver of the vehicle. The motor means M is preferably electrical, having as its power supply the vehicles electrical system. An alternative way of powering the overhead means 15 is to use a mechanical takeoff from the vehicles engine (not shown), but this alternative is unsatisfactory if indoor use of the vehicle is conte mplated, and the electrical motor means is considered preferable.

As shown, the rear body 5 of the vehicle has a rear envelope 29, made of sheet metal or plastic, which is suitably secured (by means not shown) to the rear frame 17 and to the front envelope 3. It should be understood, however, that the rear envelope may be omitted from the rear body 5 if desired. As shown, the rear envelope 23 is provided with a rear opening and swingably mounted doors may be provided to close this rear opening. A sill 30, against which the doors rest when closed, is mounted on the rear transverse frame member 17.4. Cutouts 31 and 32 are provided in the sill 311 so that the tracks 11 and 12 are unobstructed. Covers 33 in the interior of the vehicle are joined to the envelope to shield the loadcarrying space from debris thrown up by the rear wheels. These covers are placed at the outside of the tracks and serve to guide the dolly as it is moved along the tracks into the vehicle.

The dolly 7 which supports the burial object 8 may be of usual construction; however, it is preferable that the dolly comprise a substantially rectangular frame 34 forming a central opening through which the burial object may pass, and removable cross-members 35 over said opening to support the burial object. This construction permits the dolly to remain in place while the burial object is being lowered.

In operation, the burial object is handled as follows: The object is placed on the dolly 7 by pallbearers or mechanical means. The dolly is rolled up the ramps 13 and 14 and on to the tracks 11 and 12 in the vehicle. The slings 16 are attached to the object, and the vehicle is driven to the grave opening and positioned thereover so that the object is centered over the opening. The casket is raised by the winch, and the removable cross-members 35 of the dolly are removed, leaving an unobstructed passage for the object, which is then lowered into the grave (FIG. 3). The slings 16 are removed from the object, and the yoke is drawn back into the vehicle. It is obvious that once the object is placed upon the dolly, these steps can be performed by one man.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. This vehicle has, in the front, a standard front body 1 including a standard front frame 2 and a standard front envelope 3' forming a drivers compartment 4. An engine drives the front wheels of the vehicle (not shown).

Extending rearwardly from approximately the rear of the drivers compartment, the vehicle has a rear body 5' forming a load-carrying space 6 of size to accommodate a burial object 8'. The load-carrying space 6 communicates with the drivers compartment 4 and with the outside of the vehicle through an opening 36 provided in the rear body 5. The opening 36 is continuous over the bottom and rear of the rear body 5, and comprises a bottom portion 36b and a rear portion 36r. The opening 36 is sized so that the burial object 8', in horizontal position, may be passed vertically through the bottom portion 36!), or horizontally through the rear portion 361' of the opening 36. Mounted above the bottom portion 3615, the vehicle has overhead means 15 with motor means M and a sling 16 whereby the burial object 8' may be suspended in the load-carrying space 6' or vertically transferred through the bottom portion 36b of the opening 36.

The rear body 5 of the vehicle has a substantially horizontal U-shaped frame 37 joined to the front frame 2. This U-shaped frame forms the bottom portion 36b of the opening 36, and comprises a transverse frame member 37.1 near the drivers compartment 4, and lateral frame members 37.2 and 37.3 joined to the transverse frame member 37.1 and extending rearwardly therefrom. Each of the frame members 37.1, 37.2 and 37.3 is preferably formed from a pair of channel shapes welded together to form a box section of high strength. Suitably supported by the lateral frame members 37.2 and 37.3 are free-wheeling rear wheels 18 and 19.

The rear body 5 has one or more transverse arch frames 22 secured to the lateral frame members 37.2 and 37.3. These arch frames, together with the U-shaped frame 37, form the load-carrying space 6 and define the rear portion 36r of the opening 36.

Secured to at least one of the arch frames 22 is the overhead means 15. As illustrated, the overhead means has motor means M suitably secured to one or more arch frames 22 and powering a winch 23. The overhead means may be the same as in the vehicle first described, but preferably the winch 23 is connected to a plurality of cables 38. Each cable 38 extends over pulley means 39 and 40, which are secured to an arch frame. The pulleys 40 are spaced lengthwise of the load-carrying space 6 and located above the bottom portion 36b of the opening 36. The cables 38 are attached to a yoke 27 having at each end prongs 28 to which the slings 16' may be attached. Control means (not shown) for the motor means M are located in the drivers compartment so as to be accessible to the driver of the vehicle.

As shown, the rear body 5 of the vehicle has a rear envelope 29', made of sheet metal or plastic, which is suitably supported by the U-shaped frame 37 and joined to the front envelope 3. It should be understood, however, that the rear envelope may be omitted from the rear body if desired. As shown, the rear envelope is provided with a rear opening, and swingably mounted doors to close the rear opening may be provided.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the vehicle shown in FIGS. 4, S and 6 diifers from the vehicle shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 essentially in that it has no rear transverse frame member, and therefore needs no dolly or tracks or ramps for loading. Instead, this vehicle can be loaded by moving the vehicle over the object, rather than by moving the object into the vehicle upon a dolly.

In operation, the vehicle illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is used as follows: The vehicle is backed up over the burial object 8 until the overhead means are over the object, and then the slings 16' are attached to the object. With the overhead means, the object is raised into the load-carrying space 6, where it hangs suspended. If desired, cross-members (not shown) may be placed across the lateral frame members 37.2 and 37.3 for the object to rest upon during travel. The vehicle is driven to the grave site and positioned so that the object is directly over the grave opening. Using the overhead means, the object is lowered into the grave and the slings are then detached from the object. The yoke and slings are drawn back into the load-space 6 and the empty vehicle is removed. Obviously, all these steps may be performed by one man using this vehicle.

It should be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vehicle adapted for handling a burial object in conjunction with a dolly, comprising, in combination, body means forming a load-carrying space therewithin of size to accommodate said dolly with said object in horizontal position thereon, said body means having a rear opening of size to permit horizontal passage of said object on said dolly and a bottom opening of size to permit vertical passage of said object in horizontal position; tracks on each side of said bottom opening and extending to the rear opening to receive and support said dolly; and overhead means above said bottom opening With motor means and a sling, whereby said object may be vertically transferred through said bottom opening.

2. A burial object handling system comprising, in combination, a dolly forming a central opening of size to permit vertical passage of a burial object in horizontal position, and removable cross-members over said opening to support said object thereover; a vehicle having body means forming a load-carrying space therewithin of size to accommodate said dolly with said object in horizontal position thereon, said body means having a rear opening of size to permit horizontal passage of said object on said dolly and a bottom opening of size to permit vertical passage of said object in horizontal position, said body means having tracks on each side of said bottom opening and extending to the rear opening to receive and support said dolly, and overhead means above said bottom opening with motor means and a sling, whereby said object may be vertically transferred through said bottom opening; and removable ramp means extending between the ground and the rear ends of said tracks.

3. In a vehicle having a front frame and front envelope and front-wheel drive, the combination therewith of a substantially rectangular and horizontal rear frame joined to said front frame, track means supported by said rear frame and extending to the rear thereof to receive and support a dolly, said rear frame and track means forming a bottom opening of size to permit vertical passage of a burial object in horizontal position, an arch frame trans verse to said rear frame and joined thereto over said bottom opening, overhead means supported by said arch frame, whereby said object may be vertically transferred through said bottom opening, and a rear envelope supported by said rear frame and joined to said front envelope, said arch frame and said rear envelope forming a rear opening of size to permit horizontal passage of said dolly with said burial object thereon upon said tracks.

4. In a vehicle having a front frame and front envelope forming a drivers compartment and front-wheel drive, the combination therewith of a substantially horizontal U-shaped frame joined to said front frame, rear wheels supported by said U-shaped frame, an arch frame transverse to said U-sltaped frame and joined thereto, said U-shaped frame and said arch frame forming a load-carrying space, continuous with said drivers compartment, of size to accommodate a burial object in horizontal position and forming a continuous opening at the bottom and rear of said load-carrying space, said opening comprising a bottom portion of size to permit burial of said object in horizontal position and a rear portion of size to permit horizontal passage of said object in horizontal position, overhead lift means supported by said arch frame over said bottom portion whereby said object may be vertically transferred by said lift means through said bottom portion of the opening, and a rear envelope supported by said U- shaped frame and joined to said front envelope.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,387,082 10/1945 Malling 214-517 2,536,567 1/1951 Peters et al. 2l4'394 2,562,189 7/1951 Harris 214--396 2,889,062 6/1959 Stern 214-396 3,272,362 9/1966 Lamer et al. 214-396 FOREIGN PATENTS: 662,916 5/1963 Canada.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner. ALBERT J. MAKAY, Examiner, 

